Geneva Sommers and the Quest for Truth

by C J Benjamin

  They were all unsure of me, maybe even scared. And who could blame them? I was the unpredictable one, turning hands to stone and stopping time on a whim. I was scared of me, too. I looked down at my small, rough hands on the thick, dark wood of the dining table. They looked so fragile compared to the oiled, aged wood. Its marred complexion looked like it could stand the test of time, while my hands, well, they looked so plain and ordinary. How could they be the hands of such power and possible destruction? I had to quickly clasp them together to stop them from shaking. I was quivering in my very soul, as I tried to fight back the tears that were beginning to form.

  Nova reached out and grabbed my hands. He felt steady and warm and I felt his familiar comfort soothing me. I pulled one hand away so I could place it atop his to show my appreciation. Slowly Sparrow added her hand to the top of mine, and then Journey followed suit. I could actually feel them, feel their support washing over me, calming me, giving me courage—and more importantly—hope. Hope that I would be able to find out the truth behind all of this, and hope that I would be able to handle it all, with their help. Even though we could have had a perfect conversation through telepathy, we didn’t need to. For the first time we communicated to each other perfectly through our unspoken bond. Somehow, I knew we each completely understood each other and had the same goal: to understand what my powers were and how to control the magic so we could figure out the truth.

  I was oblivious to the fact that Remi walked over to our table until he cleared his throat.

  “Well, I guess I’m not a part of this pact so I’ll just find somewhere else to go be excluded,” he said in a huff.

  His words broke us all from our trance and we pulled our hands back. I tried to protest as he turned to walk away, but Nova cut me off. Let him go, Tippy.

  I didn’t know how long he had been standing there watching us all holding hands, staring at each other. It must have looked pretty strange. I looked around the dining hall to see if anyone else had noticed us, but everyone seemed oblivious, caught up in their dull little cliques that I not so distantly longed to be a part of. I stared after Remi and watched him until he disappeared into a crowd milling about in the opposite end of the hall.

  “It’s better this way,” Nova said softly.

  “How?” I asked bitterly.

  “Well, it’s safer,” offered Sparrow, back to her glass-half-full optimism. “You don’t need to drag him into this mess until we have it all figured out. That way you can’t hurt him.”

  “I’m pretty sure I just did,” I sulked.

  “Yes, but he’ll recover from this. A stone arm? Not so much,” ribbed Journey.

  We all glared at him.

  “What? Too soon? Aw, come on, it was my arm she maimed and I’m okay with it. Let’s move on,” he said putting his hands behind his head looking bored.

  “Yes, lets,” I said. “What’s the plan?” I asked looking to Nova.

  “I have one, but we need to test a few things out first. I want us to meet in the forest every night for the next week at least and we’ll see if we’re ready for the next step.”

  “Is there anywhere else we can work together besides the forest? It doesn’t leave us much time with all the sneaking in and out we have to do,” I said.

  “Well, we have breakfast, lunch, and dinner to discuss things and plan. Anywhere else would look too suspicious,” Nova said.

  He must have been reading my mind again because I was already thinking of suggesting we go to our secret place behind the palm in the courtyard. He was probably right though. If we were always disappearing together it might draw attention. Plus it would be harder for all four of us to get there. With all of us trying to avoid the Grifts and tarcats someone would surely get caught. And I guess it would be kind of cramped back there anyway.

  “Okay, breakfast, lunch, and dinner to plot, and the forest each night to practice. I’m in,” I said grinning for the first time all day.

  “Me too,” said Sparrow.

  Nova and Journey just nodded.

  “One more thing though,” I added. “I have to know the plan.”

  “I thought you might say that,” said Nova. He was grinning now, too. He leaned in and lowered his voice, drawing us all closer, held by suspense. “You want answers, well we’re going to get them. We’re all going to the locker!”

  “What?” we all exclaimed simultaneously, pushing back from Nova.

  “Are you mad? We don’t need much of a plan to get sent to the locker! And I thought we were trying to avoid getting caught!” I said in a rushed whisper.

  “The locker is the only place you’re going to get the answers we all need. Remember the legend of Lux I was telling you about? Well, how do you think I learned it? All that time I spent in the locker has paid off. It’s not such a dull place to be when you shed a little light,” he said slyly.

  “That’s right!” I said, suddenly remembering what Nova told me about the locker. I had almost forgotten about that with all the chaos of last night.

  “What are you saying, Nova?” asked Sparrow.

  He leaned in again, serious this time, speaking in a whisper. “The legend is down there. It’s written on the walls. We need to go to the locker to read it. It’ll help us understand Tippy’s powers, because if she’s who I think she is…” he paused. “Well, there’s just a lot we need to learn.”

  I looked around at our little group. “Are you all still in?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yep.”

  “Of course.”

  “Okay, well it’s settled then. We will meet back here to come up with the best way to get in and out of the locker and we’ll practice those skills when we go to the forest. We need to do it soon though because the New Year Gala is coming and we need to have this figured out by then,” said Nova.

  Gong!

  18

  Our little group of four worked tirelessly over the next few days. We plotted together over each meal in a hurried whisper. We practiced all our powers in the forest at night, but there never seemed to be enough time. Mostly because I slowed us down with all my questions. I didn’t know enough about the Truiets and how everything worked.

  “Isn’t there like a Brief History of Truiet Magic she could take?” Nova joked one afternoon.

  “I know, I know, I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Well…” Journey spoke up grabbing our attention. “I might know someone who could help her.”

  “Have you been holding out on us, Journey? Is there another one of us here?” Nova said, suddenly hostile.

  “No, not exactly. I just have a hunch about this. When we’ve been going to the forest, I’ve been seeing signs.”

  “What kind of signs?” Sparrow asked.

  “Well, the old Truiet markers. Carved into trees and rocks.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure there are old signs still out there.”

  “Well, that’s what I thought at first, but it’s been so long and I’m sure the Flood destroyed most of them. And then last night I saw a new one.”

  “How do you know it was new?” asked Nova skeptically.

  “It was glowing. They only glow blue like that for about two days.”

  “How come none of us saw it?” I asked.

  “You have to know what to look for. The Truiets hid their signs to protect their people. This way only those with Truiet powers could find them. I can show you the markers tonight so you know what to look for,” Journey said.

  “So you’re saying there are Truiets living in the forest?” Sparrow asked.

  “Yes,” Journey said slowly.

  “That’s impossible. They were all killed in the Flood,” she said.

  “I actually agree with Journey,” Nova replied, shocking us all.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Well, I’ve been working out there for a while now and I sometimes get this feeling that I’m not alone, like there are other power sources somewhere. I could never figure it out or see any signs of anyone
other than us orphans and Grifts. I just had a feeling. But what you’re saying confirms it.”

  “Okay, so even if this is true, we can’t just go hand Tippy over to a Truiet and say, ‘hey, can you teach her all your secrets?’” Sparrow said.

  “Why not?” I asked.

  They all just looked at me, shaking their heads.

  “What? Come on, I’m sick of being in the dark about how all this magic power stuff works. It’s slowing us down.”

  “She’s right,” said Nova, again surprising me that he was on board. “When we go out tonight, show me the markers and I’ll try to get a bearing on it tomorrow during Flood work. Maybe I can find someone and see if they might be open to helping us.”

  Journey nodded and we all got up from the table as the bell chimed.

  19

  I thought I caught a glimpse of Remi across the dining hall as I was leaving. I didn’t know who he was sitting with, or if he was hiding all alone somewhere. I pushed that thought out of my mind because it made me feel guilty for neglecting my best friend. I just needed to get to the bottom of all of this. Maybe once I did, I would be able to tell him and he could help me! Remi would be the perfect person to tutor me on the Truiets if he knew about them. He’s so smart and always did such a good job helping me concentrate on our studies. Speaking of studies, they’ve really been suffering this week without Remi. We had exams coming up before the New Year, but I could hardly ask him to help me cram after excluding him from everything else that was going on in my life.

  I tried to put Remi out of my thoughts as I went back to our room to get ready for music rehearsal, but I just about smacked into him on my way to my wardrobe.

  “Uh, sorry. I…”

  “You just were looking right through me. Don’t worry, I’m starting to get used to it,” he scathed.

  “Remi, no it’s not like that! You’re my best friend.”

  “Really? Because I thought friends talked to each other, included each other in their lives. It’s like you’ve been living in another world since you started hanging out with them. I never see you anymore and you’re always with them, whispering. What is going on with you, 65?”

  “Remi…”

  I longed for him to understand me. I begged forgiveness with my eyes and pleaded mercy with each beat of my heart, but it didn’t work. The damage was done. He knew I wasn’t going to tell him anything and he was hurt and angry and I couldn’t blame him. I watched him shake his head and walk away from me as my heart was breaking under the pain I had caused him.

  It was as if I could feel his pain. My chest was tight and heavy, and I had a lump in my throat that tasted of bitter despair, threatening to suffocate me. It choked back my words and thankfully my tears. I felt dizzy and confused, like I was lost at sea with no North Star for guidance. Remi was my North Star, but I had just cut him loose to wander aimlessly in space. It seemed the star and the sea didn’t know what to do without each other.

  20

  Gong!

  It was time for music rehearsal. Luckily I was able to get by so far by faking that I was singing. I stood next to Sparrow, whose sweet voice rang so clear and bright that she would surely drown out my imperfections even if I was singing. The first time I heard her singing voice up close it took my breath away. It sounded like what I imagined angels to sound like. Each note was crisp and effortless. Her voice rang out like a shiny perfect bell; each note was attached to the next with a fluid quality that couldn’t be taught. She was naturally gifted with this melody. I remember thinking if I sounded that good I would sing everything. I would sing instead of talk. I would never stop.

  Today I took my usual spot next to Sparrow, who was beaming and flipping through the sheet music.

  “She’s going to assign the solo today.”

  “Oh, you know you’re totally going to get it! You’re amazing, Sparrow.”

  “Oh, thank you, Tippy. But will you be okay without me?”

  “Sure, I can fake it pretty well,” I smiled.

  Just then Miss Sprigg came into our room and called us all to attention. She looked all business with her normally unruly mop of brown hair twisted into a neat little bun, high atop her head. It almost made her look taller. I bet that was her intention, because her tiny stature was easily lost among some of the taller Johns of our year. I’d always liked Miss Sprigg. She almost reminded me of myself; a quiet outcast even among the Grifts. She was so short and frail, and all the other Grifts paid no attention to her. I imagined that I would probably look just like her when I grew up, save for my flaxen hair. It was a shame that she was our music teacher though, because my lack of musical talent probably ensured my feelings toward her weren’t mutual.

  She’d been teaching us and all the other orphans to sing for as long as I could remember. She had a decent singing voice and must have had a true passion for music to volunteer to teach our lot. She had been putting up with the likes of me and some other less-than-talented orphans for a long time. Each class had one song to learn and perform at the New Year Gala. After I performed and released all my nervous jitters, I actually looked forward to hearing the other orphans sing. It was our only chance to listen to them sing since each class rehearsed and performed separately. Last year, Nova’s class sang a beautiful song about the sea. Its melody was so sad and heart-melting that it brought me to tears. Of course, Nova was the one singing the solo that year. He had a voice as perfect as his flawless features.

  I sighed thinking back to his performance. Was there anything he wasn’t good at? Miss Sprigg brought me abruptly out of my daydream when she cleared her throat.

  “Everyone, let’s get started. Johns on the left, Janes on the right. Today we’re going to be arranging you into sections and I’ll be assigning the solo, so I hope you’ve all been practicing.”

  This caused quite a buzz among us. I heard moans and groans, amongst the other orphans. Perhaps some of them were dreading this as much as I was, or more likely they were just reluctant to be separated from the comfort of their cliques. There was actually some clapping and excited laughter and squealing going on, too, though. I could practically feel Sparrow’s elation about the solo selection as she squeezed my hand and danced in place. I tried to give her a grim look, but her joy was infectious and all I could do was grin back when I looked at her big bright amber eyes that were lit up by her gleaming, white smile.

  “You’re insane, you know that?” I laughed.

  “I’m so nervous!” she squealed

  “Why? You’re clearly amazing! You’re going to get the solo.”

  “I hope so. Jemma got it last year.”

  “That’s because everyone was always too scared to audition against her.”

  “True. Maybe I shouldn’t. She’s been leaving you alone lately, maybe I shouldn’t stir up any trouble.”

  “No! You’re incredible and you deserve the solo. I’m sick of Jemma always intimidating us. It’s time for everyone to hear your voice.”

  “Thanks, Tippy. You’re a great friend.”

  “I know,” I smiled with a little wink. It felt great to be called a great friend, but only for a second, because it instantly made me think of how I was being far less than a great friend to Remi.

  “What’s wrong?” Sparrow asked. My face must have given me away, so I quickly put on a smile.

  “Nothing. Go get ‘em!” I said.

  As usual, Jemma was the first to volunteer to sing the solo. Her gaggle of henchmaids fawned over her performance, ooo-ing and ahh-ing and giving overly enthusiastic applause. I rolled my eyes as she bowed. I couldn’t wait for her to see Sparrow sing. She probably thought she had this in the bag since no one had ever dared to try out for the solo, for fear of the wrath of Jemma.

  “That was wonderful, 31. Just lovely,” Miss Sprigg said. “Alright, shall we move on to the next part? Johns, lets…”

  “Uhmmmm!” I cleared my throat and gave Sparrow a shove forward. I was afraid Miss Sprigg was going to move on with
out giving her a chance if I didn’t act fast.

  “Yes, 42. Can I help you?”

  Sparrow glared at me.

  “Um, I’d like to try out for the solo, too,” she mumbled quietly.

  “Excuse me dear? Speak up.”

  “I’d like to try out for the solo,” she said more clearly this time.

  This caught everyone’s attention. Everyone stopped talking and stared at Sparrow. Everyone except me. I had my eyes trained on Jemma. She was standing there, mouth open, eyes wide with disbelief. She only lost her composure for a brief moment, but I caught it and it was so gratifying. The ice queen was shocked! She quickly narrowed her eyes as if looks could kill, but she covered that up with her sweet-as-poison smile and said, “Well, how sweet. I’ve inspired someone to sing. Come on, 42, let’s hear it.”

  This seemed to be what Sparrow needed because she had previously been standing shakily in front of us all, nervously shuffling through her sheet music, shifting her weight anxiously from foot to foot. But after Jemma’s taunt, she lifted her chin and thrust her music to Miss Sprigg, who seemed to be confused as to what was happening.

  “Alright, 42, please take it from the top.”

  Sparrow burst into song. Her notes were clear and crisp and perfect as I knew they’d be. She sounded better than ever. Our entire class was spellbound, speechlessly gawking at Sparrow as if they’d never met her before, and I guess they hadn’t, not this Sparrow anyway. This Sparrow was more confident, more alive, and was absolutely glowing. I looked over at Journey and he seemed to be as happy as she was. He gave me a smile and then focused his attention back on Sparrow as she finished up her solo.

  When she ended with her final high note, she took a deep breath and beamed back at us. The mood our room was emoting was complete adoration. No one knew what to do or say and I could see the look of panic setting into Sparrow’s dainty face.